Bamboozled

When I was in college at The University of Tennessee, a group of frat boys from Kappa Sigma Fraternity thought it would be funny to dress up in blackface and "look like" The Jackson Five. It wasn't funny, but it was Free Speech. Acknowledged. But why shouldn't one dress in blackface... one of our reasons at the time was because... "once you get in the workforce this won't be tolerated". Now I'm in Macon, Georgia and a high school social studies teacher decided (I hope on a whim) to entertain his students at a student-faculty basketball game by dressing in blackface. His students and others in the commnity are defending his actions and his job. The superintendent has asked for his termination. This was my letter then... and UNFORTUNATELY is remains relevant.


Foul event shows ignorance
Letter to the Editor (October 2004)

Editor, The Daily Beacon:
As members of The University of Tennessee community, we recognize the utmost importance of Freedom of Speech and the rights we enjoy as Americans to freely express ourselves. However, with every right comes an even greater responsibility, not only to ourselves but to each other. Many people are offended by the recent events in which certain people dressed in blackface. We're forced to ask: Why would educated adults find it acceptable to dress in blackface?

First, are people aware of what blackface is and what it means, historically? The first instances of blackface occurred during the mid-1800s when white entertainers painted their faces black and mimicked Black Americans. Whites used blackface to portray blacks as inferior. Blacks were often portrayed in menial roles, such as maids, cooks and shoe shiners. By portraying blacks in such stereotypical roles, whites contributed to the common belief that blacks were inherently inferior to whites.

Secondly, do people understand why some might find blackface offensive? When consideration is given to the history revolving around blackface, it may be easier to empathize with that thought. People find blackface offensive because they had hoped that respect would have flourished by now - respect for each other's history, heritage, and culture.

Finally, we have to ask, what was the real purpose of wearing blackface? Where was the real fun? And at whose expense was the entertainment? If the people who painted their faces did it for fun, then it should be noted that the first minstrel shows were a form of leisure used to perpetuate stereotypes and rationalize racist oppression. And if it wasn't done for fun, then what was the point?

The first step towards progress becomes everyone's responsibility to embrace, respect, and learn about this university's diverse cultures so that we can work for reaching a common understanding.

Karyn Bailey and Brandon Long
President and Vice President, Catalyst for Change

UPDATE: SUPERINTENDENT'S STATEMENT to the Bibb County Board of Education
April 14, 2005

The purpose of this statement is to announce the resolution of the matter involving Greg Dougherty and the Bibb County School District.

As you are aware, I placed Mr. Dougherty on administrative leave with pay on April 5, 2005, due to an incident on March 25, 2005, in which Mr. Dougherty showed a lack of respect to the student body, staff, and school community of Central High School during the faculty-student basketball game by painting his body and dressing in mockery of the African American race.

I informed Mr. Dougherty at that time that I would recommend his termination to the Board of Education.

I stand by my position that the actions of Mr. Dougherty were insensitive, unprofessional, and insulting to the entire school community. Mr. Dougherty used classroom time to plan an event that was disruptive and harmful to the school. He also involved students in his misconduct. He used poor judgment in his actions and failed to conduct himself as a professional teacher.

However, I have listened to the feedback of our community and am aware of the need to resolve this matter without further distraction to our business of educating students. Therefore, I offered Mr. Dougherty the opportunity to return as a teacher at Central High for the 2005-2006 school year; however, he would be suspended without pay for the remainder of this school year.

Mr. Dougherty declined to accept this offer, which would have allowed him to continue teaching in the Bibb County School District at Central High School.

Instead, Mr. Dougherty has resigned from the Bibb County School District, effective May 17, 2005. Mr. Dougherty has also issued an apology to the school community, which I will distribute to the students at Central High School.

It is always unfortunate when a person in a position of trust, like Mr. Dougherty, fails to live up to that trust. This has been a trying time for the students at Central High School, the community, and Mr. Dougherty.

I am pleased that we were able to reach an amicable agreement and can now move past this situation.

We are now focusing on ensuring that the students at Central and all of our students receive our support as they move into these last few weeks of school, final exams, and for our seniors, graduation.